1 Corinthians10

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¹Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

²and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

³and all ate the same spiritual food;

⁴and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

⁵However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

⁶Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

⁷Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

⁸Let’s not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.

⁹Let’s not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.

¹⁰Don’t grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.

¹¹Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

¹²Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall.

¹³No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

¹⁴Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

¹⁵I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.

¹⁶The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ?

¹⁷Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.

¹⁸Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

¹⁹What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

²⁰But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons.

²¹You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.

²²Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

²³“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up.

²⁴Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good.

²⁵Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,

²⁶for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.”

²⁷But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.

²⁸But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, with all its fullness.”

²⁹Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

³⁰If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for?

³¹Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

³²Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews, to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;

³³even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The great privileges, and yet terrible overthrow of the Israelites in the wilderness. (1–5). Cautions against all idolatrous, and other sinful practices. (6–14). The partaking in idolatry cannot exist with having communion with Christ. (15–22). All we do to be to the glory of God, and without offence to the consciences of others. (23–33).

vv1-5

To dissuade the Corinthians from communion with idolaters, and security in any sinful course, the apostle sets before them the example of the Jewish nation of old. They were, by a miracle, led through the Red Sea, where the pursuing Egyptians were drowned. It was to them a typical baptism. The manna on which they fed was a type of Christ crucified, the Bread which came down from heaven, which whoso eateth shall live for ever. Christ is the Rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams that issue therefrom, all believers drink, and are refreshed. It typified the sacred influences of the Holy Spirit, as given to believers through Christ. But let none presume upon their great privileges, or profession of the truth; these will not secure heavenly happiness.

vv6-14

Carnal desires gain strength by indulgence, therefore should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And it is but just to fear, that such as tempt Christ, will be left by him in the power of the old serpent. Murmuring against God's disposals and commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in Scripture is written in vain; and it is our wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others have fallen, and so may we. The Christian's security against sin is distrust of himself. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this word of caution, a word of comfort is added. Others have the like burdens, and the like temptations: what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. God is wise as well as faithful, and will make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We have full encouragement to flee from sin, and to be faithful to God. We cannot fall by temptation, if we cleave fast to him. Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, put into their hearts, will be the great means of safety.

vv15-22

Did not the joining in the Lord's supper show a profession of faith in Christ crucified, and of adoring gratitude to him for his salvation? Christians, by this ordinance, and the faith therein professed, were united as the grains of wheat in one loaf of bread, or as the members in the human body, seeing they were all united to Christ, and had fellowship with him and one another. This is confirmed from the Jewish worship and customs in sacrifice. The apostle applies this to feasting with idolaters. Eating food as part of a heathen sacrifice, was worshipping the idol to whom it was made, and having fellowship or communion with it; just as he who eats the Lord's supper, is accounted to partake in the Christian sacrifice, or as they who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of what was offered on their altar. It was denying Christianity; for communion with Christ, and communion with devils, could never be had at once. If Christians venture into places, and join in sacrifices to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, they will provoke God.

Key Words

ForG1063Greek

γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

wantG2309Greek

θέλω (thélō): to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι) properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in

youG5209Greek

ὑμᾶς (hymâs): you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

brothersG80Greek

ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))

thatG3754Greek

ὅτι (hóti): demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ourG2257Greek

ἡμῶν (hēmōn): of (or from) us

fathersG3962Greek

πατήρ (patḗr): a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

wereG2258Greek

ἦν (ēn): I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

allG3956Greek

πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole

underG5259Greek

ὑπό (hypó): under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at))